Dead Cert

from librisissimo

Copy of review for copy-2 (discarded) re-read 2016-03016. One of the best of the early Francis novels, concentrating on the sport of racing and the psychology of jockeys. At the time, the radio-dispatched "Marconicars" were something new in technology, but are now totally common-place; one of the...

from librisissimo

One of the best of the early Francis novels, concentrating on the sport of racing and the psychology of jockeys. At the time, the radio-dispatched "Marconicars" were something new in technology, but are now totally common-place; one of the virtues of Francis's writing is that he stays grounded in...

from stephanie_M

Dick Francis may not have been trying to earn literary awards, or communicating any life-changing truths with his writing, or pick apart the general public and/or it's attitudes/ideas/lifestyles. But he sure did know how to tell a great mystery story. His heroes are always kind, tough, clever, an...

from themulhern

The obligatory romance is grating. However, this first novel by Dick Francis evokes the world of racing vividly and has one really excellent and imaginative chase sequence. It's a period piece; the "radio cabs" are remarkable because they communicate with a central dispatcher. The hero is a littl...

from jayne_charles

I had never tried a Dick Francis novel before so thought I might as well start with one of his biggies. Unfortunately I'm not sure it says much for the rest of his back catalogue, as it was a well told story ruined by a naff ending. I like books that have me guessing right to the end, and then th...